TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to charging technologies, and in particular, to a charging
circuit, a terminal, and a charging system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With development of science and technology, functions of terminals become stronger,
and users can perform office work and entertainment by using the terminals. Therefore,
the terminals have become an indispensable part in people's daily life. However, an
endurance capability of a terminal is limited, and a user needs to continuously charge
the terminal. To ensure that the user can properly use the terminal, a fast technology
becomes a preferred solution of charging.
[0003] Currently, common fast charging technologies may mainly be classified into two types:
a low-voltage high-current fast charging technology and a high-voltage low-current
fast charging technology. For both low-voltage high-current fast charging and high-voltage
low-current fast charging, a current in a charging circuit of a terminal may be converted,
when being input into a battery, to a higher charging current (which cannot exceed
a maximum safe charging current that the battery can bear or a safe charging current
that does not damage a battery life). In this case, how to ensure charging safety
of fast charging when high-current charging is performed on the battery becomes particularly
important.
[0004] As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic device charging control apparatus is provided in
the prior art. In a process of charging a battery in an electronic device by the electronic
device charging control apparatus, a power adapter first charges the battery by means
of constant-voltage output. After receiving a fast charging instruction command sent
by a charging control module, the power adapter adjusts an output voltage according
to a battery voltage fed back by the charging control module, and adjusts, when the
output voltage meets a fast charging voltage condition preset by the charging control
module, an output current and the output voltage according to a fast charging current
value and a fast charging voltage value, so as to perform fast charging on the battery.
In addition, the charging control module introduces a direct current from the power
adapter to charge the battery. In a fast charging process, the power adapter further
adjusts the output current in real time according to the output voltage of the power
adapter and the battery voltage, so that fast charging of the battery is implemented
by adjusting the output current and the output voltage of the power adapter.
[0005] It can be learned from the foregoing that in the technical solution, the power adapter
obtains, in a real-time communication manner, feedback information of a charging current
and a charging voltage from the charging control module in the electronic device,
and performs real-time adjustment in the power adapter. The technical solution is
applicable to a scenario in which a requirement on real-time adjustment is relatively
low in a charging process. In a charging scenario in which a requirement on real-time
adjustment is relatively high, if a current required by a terminal load suddenly decreases
and output adjustment of the power adapter is not performed in time, the charging
current flowing to the battery suddenly increases. This easily causes a potential
safety threat to a charging circuit and a charged battery in the electronic device.
SUMMARY
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention provide a charging circuit, a terminal, and
a charging system, so that in a scenario in which a charging current suddenly increases
during charging because a current consumed by a terminal load decreases and an output
current from a power adapter cannot be adjusted in time, the charging current can
be adjusted and controlled, so as to prevent damage to a battery or the charging circuit
due to an excessively high charging current, thereby ensuring charging safety.
[0007] A first aspect of the present invention provides a charging circuit. The charging
circuit is separately connected to a charger, a terminal load, and a battery, so that
when charging the battery by using the charging circuit, the charger can further supply
power to the terminal load.
[0008] Specifically, the charging circuit includes a first adjustment circuit, a current
detection circuit, a voltage detection circuit, and a control circuit.
[0009] A first end of the first adjustment circuit is connected to the charger; a second
end of the first adjustment circuit is connected to a positive electrode of the battery;
the second end of the first adjustment circuit is further connected to the terminal
load; and a third end of the first adjustment circuit is connected to the control
circuit.
[0010] A negative electrode of the battery is connected to the charger.
[0011] The current detection circuit is connected in series between the second end of the
first adjustment circuit and the positive electrode of the battery, or is connected
in series between the negative electrode of the battery and the charger.
[0012] A detection end of the voltage detection circuit is connected in parallel at the
positive and negative electrodes of the battery, and an output end of the voltage
detection circuit is further connected to the control circuit.
[0013] The voltage detection circuit is configured to: detect voltages at two ends of the
battery to obtain a voltage value of the battery, and send the voltage value of the
battery to the control circuit.
[0014] The current detection circuit is configured to: detect a current of the charging
circuit to obtain a current value of the charging circuit, and send the current value
to the first adjustment circuit.
[0015] The control circuit is configured to: determine a charging mode according to the
voltage value of the battery, and determine a current upper limit value according
to the charging mode.
[0016] The first adjustment circuit is configured to obtain the current value and the current
upper limit value; and is further configured to: compare the current value with the
current upper limit value to determine whether the current value is greater than the
current upper limit value, and when the current value is greater than the current
upper limit value, adjust upward an impedance of the first adjustment circuit according
to the current value.
[0017] It should be noted that an objective of adjusting upward the impedance of the first
adjustment circuit is to decrease a charging current, that is, a larger current value
indicates a higher adjusted impedance of the first adjustment circuit.
[0018] Further, it should be noted that the current detection circuit is further connected
to the control circuit.
[0019] The current detection circuit is further configured to send the current value to
the control circuit.
[0020] The control circuit is configured to: determine whether the current value is greater
than the current upper limit value; and when the current value is greater than the
current upper limit value, send an adjustment instruction to the charger, so that
the charger adjusts downward output power, an output current, or an output voltage.
[0021] With reference to the first aspect, it should be noted that the control circuit is
further configured to determine a current lower limit value according to the charging
mode. The first adjustment circuit is further configured to: obtain the current lower
limit value; compare the current value with the current lower limit value to determine
whether the current value is less than the current lower limit value; and when the
current value is less than the current lower limit value, adjust downward the impedance
of the first adjustment circuit according to the current value.
[0022] It should be noted that if the impedance of the first adjustment circuit is currently
relatively high, the output current of the charger decreases after the control circuit
interacts with the charger. In this case, the charging current of the charging circuit
decreases and charging efficiency is affected. To ensure the charging efficiency of
the battery, in this case, the impedance of the first adjustment circuit needs to
be adjusted downward to increase the charging current.
[0023] With reference to the first aspect, to prevent an overvoltage or an overcurrent,
the charging circuit further includes a protection circuit. The protection circuit
is connected in series between the charger and the first end of the first adjustment
circuit. The control circuit is further connected to the protection circuit. The control
circuit is further configured to: determine a protection trigger condition according
to the charging mode; and send the protection trigger condition to the protection
circuit. The protection circuit is configured to: detect the output current of the
charger to determine an output current value; determine whether the output current
value meets the protection trigger condition; and when the output current value meets
the protection trigger condition, open a switch to interrupt charging.
[0024] It should be noted that the protection trigger condition includes a current protection
trigger condition and a voltage protection trigger condition. That is, the protection
circuit is specifically configured to: detect the output current of the charger to
determine the output current value; determine whether the output current value is
greater than the current protection trigger condition; and when the output current
value is greater than the current protection trigger condition, open the switch to
interrupt charging.
[0025] It may be understood that the protection circuit may detect whether a voltage of
the battery is an overvoltage and detect whether the output voltage of the charger
is an overvoltage. Therefore, the voltage protection trigger condition includes a
battery voltage protection trigger condition and a charger voltage trigger protection
condition. Specifically, the voltage of the battery corresponds to the battery voltage
protection trigger condition, and the output voltage of the charger corresponds to
the charger voltage protection trigger condition.
[0026] Further, the protection circuit is further connected to the voltage detection circuit
to obtain the voltage value of the battery. The protection circuit is further configured
to: determine whether the voltage value of the battery is greater than the battery
voltage protection trigger condition; and when the voltage value of the battery is
greater than the battery voltage protection trigger condition, open the switch to
interrupt charging.
[0027] Further, the protection circuit is further configured to: detect the output voltage
of the charger to obtain an output voltage value; determine whether the output voltage
value is greater than the charger voltage protection trigger condition; and when the
output voltage value is greater than the charger voltage protection trigger condition,
open the switch to interrupt charging.
[0028] With reference to the first aspect, it should be noted that the control circuit,
the charging circuit further includes a communication circuit. The communication circuit
is connected to the control circuit.
[0029] The control circuit is further configured to send the charging mode to the communication
circuit.
[0030] The communication circuit is configured to send the charging mode to the charger,
so that the charger performs charging according to the charging mode.
[0031] It should be noted that the communication circuit may be connected to the charger
by using a connection cable or may interact with the charger in a wireless manner
to perform information transfer.
[0032] With reference to the first aspect, to adjust the charging current more precisely,
the charging circuit further includes a second adjustment circuit.
[0033] The second adjustment circuit is connected in series between the second end of the
first adjustment circuit and the positive electrode of the battery. It should be noted
that if the current detection circuit is connected in series between the first adjustment
circuit and the positive electrode of the battery, alternatively, the second adjustment
circuit may be connected in series between the positive electrode of the battery and
the current detection circuit, or may be connected in series between the second end
of the first adjustment circuit and the current detection circuit.
[0034] The second adjustment circuit is further connected to the control circuit.
[0035] The control circuit is further configured to determine an adjustment threshold of
the second adjustment circuit according to the charging mode.
[0036] The second adjustment circuit is configured to adjust an impedance of the second
adjustment circuit according to the current value and the adjustment threshold of
the second adjustment circuit.
[0037] Specifically, it should be noted that the adjustment threshold of the second adjustment
circuit also includes an upper threshold and a lower threshold. It may be understood
that when the current value is greater than the upper threshold, the impedance of
the second adjustment circuit is adjusted upward to decrease the charging current;
or when the current value is less than the lower threshold, the impedance of the second
adjustment circuit is adjusted downward to increase the charging current.
[0038] With reference to the first aspect, it should be noted that to prevent a current
required by the terminal load from suddenly decreasing, the charging circuit further
includes a third adjustment circuit and a current monitoring circuit.
[0039] The third adjustment circuit and the current monitoring circuit are connected in
series between the second end of the first adjustment circuit and the terminal load.
[0040] The current monitoring circuit is configured to: monitor a decrease amplitude of
a current of the terminal load; and when the decrease amplitude exceeds a preset threshold,
send an adjustment instruction to the third adjustment circuit.
[0041] The third adjustment circuit is configured to adjust upward an impedance of the third
adjustment circuit according to the adjustment instruction.
[0042] Further, it should be noted that the third adjustment circuit is further configured
to restore, after preset duration, the impedance of the third adjustment circuit to
a state before the impedance is adjusted upward. Alternatively, the third adjustment
circuit is further configured to adjust downward the impedance of the third adjustment
circuit after preset duration.
[0043] It should be noted that the preset duration is greater than current adjustment duration
of the charger. After the current required by the terminal load decreases, the current
of the charging circuit increases. Therefore, in this case, the control circuit sends,
to the charger, an instruction for decreasing the output current. After receiving
the instruction, the charger has the current adjustment duration, that is, the charger
adjusts the current to a target value in the current adjustment duration.
[0044] A second aspect of the present invention discloses another charging circuit. The
charging circuit is separately connected to a charger, a terminal load, and a battery,
and the charging circuit includes a first adjustment circuit, a current detection
circuit, a voltage detection circuit, and a control circuit.
[0045] Different from the charging circuit disclosed in the first aspect, the adjustment
circuit in the charging circuit is deployed in a branch circuit.
[0046] Specifically, a first end of the first adjustment circuit is connected to the charger;
the first end of the first adjustment circuit is further connected to the terminal
load; a second end of the first adjustment circuit is connected to a positive electrode
of the battery; and a third end of the first adjustment circuit is connected to the
control circuit.
[0047] A negative electrode of the battery is connected to the charger.
[0048] The current detection circuit is connected in series between the second end of the
first adjustment circuit and the positive electrode of the battery, or is connected
in series between the negative electrode of the battery and the charger.
[0049] A detection end of the voltage detection circuit is connected in parallel at the
positive and negative electrodes of the battery, and an output end of the voltage
detection circuit is connected to the control circuit.
[0050] The voltage detection circuit is configured to: detect voltages at two ends of the
battery to obtain a voltage value of the battery, and send the voltage value of the
battery to the control circuit.
[0051] The current detection circuit is configured to: detect a current of the charging
circuit to obtain a current value of the charging circuit, and send the current value
to the first adjustment circuit.
[0052] The control circuit is configured to: determine a charging mode according to the
voltage value of the battery, and determine a current upper limit value according
to the charging mode.
[0053] The first adjustment circuit is configured to obtain the current value and the current
upper limit value; and is further configured to: compare the current value with the
current upper limit value to determine whether the current value is greater than the
current upper limit value, and when the current value is greater than the current
upper limit value, adjust upward an impedance of the first adjustment circuit according
to the current value.
[0054] Further, it should be noted that the current detection circuit is further connected
to the control circuit.
[0055] The current detection circuit is further configured to send the current value to
the control circuit.
[0056] The control circuit is configured to: determine whether the current value is greater
than the current upper limit value; and when the current value is greater than the
current upper limit value, send an adjustment instruction to the charger, so that
the charger adjusts downward output power, an output current, or an output voltage.
[0057] With reference to the second aspect, it should be noted that after the control circuit
interacts with the charger, the charger adjusts downward the output current. In this
case, a charging current decreases. To ensure charging efficiency, the impedance of
the first adjustment circuit needs to be adjusted downward. Details are as follows:
[0058] The control circuit is further configured to determine a current lower limit value
according to the charging mode.
[0059] The first adjustment circuit is configured to: obtain the current lower limit value;
compare the current value with the current lower limit value to determine whether
the current value is less than the current lower limit value; and when the current
value is less than the current lower limit value, adjust downward the impedance of
the adjustment circuit according to the current value.
[0060] With reference to the second aspect, to prevent an overvoltage or an overcurrent,
the charging circuit further includes a protection circuit.
[0061] The protection circuit is connected in series between the charger and the first end
of the first adjustment circuit.
[0062] The control circuit is further connected to the protection circuit.
[0063] The control circuit is further configured to: determine a protection trigger condition
according to the charging mode; and send the protection trigger condition to the protection
circuit.
[0064] The protection circuit is configured to: detect the output current of the charger
to determine an output current value; determine whether the output current value meets
the protection trigger condition; and when the output current value meets the protection
trigger condition, open a switch to interrupt charging.
[0065] It may be understood that the protection trigger condition includes both a current
trigger protection condition and a voltage trigger protection condition.
[0066] Specifically, the protection circuit is configured to: determine whether the output
current value is greater than the current protection trigger condition; and when the
output current value is greater than the current protection trigger condition, open
the switch to interrupt charging.
[0067] It may be understood that the protection circuit may detect whether a voltage of
the battery is an overvoltage and detect whether an output voltage of the charger
is an overvoltage. Therefore, the voltage protection trigger condition includes a
battery voltage protection trigger condition and a charger voltage trigger protection
condition. Specifically, the voltage of the battery corresponds to the battery voltage
protection trigger condition, and the output voltage of the charger corresponds to
the charger voltage protection trigger condition.
[0068] Further, the protection circuit is further connected to the voltage detection circuit
to obtain the voltage value of the battery. The protection circuit is further configured
to: determine whether the voltage value of the battery is greater than the battery
voltage protection trigger condition; and when the voltage value of the battery is
greater than the battery voltage protection trigger condition, open the switch to
interrupt charging.
[0069] Further, the protection circuit is further configured to: detect the output voltage
of the charger to obtain an output voltage value; determine whether the output voltage
value is greater than the charger voltage protection trigger condition; and when the
output voltage value is greater than the charger voltage protection trigger condition,
open the switch to interrupt charging.
[0070] With reference to the second aspect, it should be noted that the control circuit
needs to interact with the charger to control the charger to adjust the output power,
the output voltage, or the output current. Therefore, the charging circuit further
includes a communication circuit. The communication circuit is connected to the control
circuit.
[0071] The control circuit is further configured to send the charging mode to the communication
circuit.
[0072] The communication circuit is configured to send the charging mode to the charger,
so that the charger performs charging according to the charging mode.
[0073] It should be noted that the communication circuit may be connected to the charger
by using a connection cable to perform information transfer. Alternatively, the communication
circuit may interact with the charger in a wireless manner.
[0074] With reference to the second aspect, optionally, the charging circuit further includes
a second adjustment circuit and a current monitoring circuit.
[0075] The second adjustment circuit and the current monitoring circuit are connected in
series between the first end of the first adjustment circuit and the terminal load.
[0076] The current monitoring circuit is configured to: monitor a decrease amplitude of
a current of the terminal load; and when the decrease amplitude exceeds a preset threshold,
send an adjustment instruction to the second adjustment circuit.
[0077] The second adjustment circuit is configured to adjust upward an impedance of the
second adjustment circuit according to the adjustment instruction.
[0078] Further, it should be noted that the second adjustment circuit is further configured
to restore, after preset duration, the impedance of the second adjustment circuit
to a state before the impedance is adjusted upward.
[0079] A third aspect of the present invention discloses another charging circuit. The charging
circuit is separately connected to a charger, a terminal load, and a battery, and
the charging circuit includes an adjustment circuit and a current monitoring circuit.
[0080] A first end of the adjustment circuit is connected to the charger; a second end of
the adjustment circuit is connected to a first end of the current monitoring circuit;
and a second end of the current monitoring circuit is connected to the terminal load.
[0081] A positive electrode of the charger is connected to a positive electrode of the battery;
and a negative electrode of the charger is connected to a negative electrode of the
battery.
[0082] The current monitoring circuit is configured to: monitor a decrease amplitude of
a current of the terminal load; and when the decrease amplitude exceeds a preset threshold,
send an adjustment instruction to the adjustment circuit.
[0083] The adjustment circuit is configured to adjust upward an impedance of the adjustment
circuit according to the adjustment instruction.
[0084] Further, it should be noted that the adjustment circuit is further configured to:
after preset duration for which the impedance of the adjustment circuit is adjusted
upward, restore the impedance of the adjustment circuit to a state before the impedance
is adjusted upward.
[0085] With reference to the third aspect, it should be noted that to prevent an overvoltage
or an overcurrent, the charging circuit further includes a current detection circuit,
a voltage detection circuit, a control circuit, and a protection circuit.
[0086] The protection circuit is connected in series between the charger and the positive
electrode of the battery.
[0087] The current detection circuit is connected in series between the protection circuit
and the positive electrode of the battery, or is connected in series between the negative
electrode of the battery and the charger.
[0088] A detection end of the voltage detection circuit is connected in parallel at the
positive and negative electrodes of the battery.
[0089] The control circuit is connected to the current detection circuit, is further connected
to an output end of the voltage detection circuit, and is further connected to the
protection circuit.
[0090] The voltage detection circuit is configured to: detect voltages at two ends of the
battery to obtain a voltage value of the battery, and send the voltage value of the
battery to the control circuit.
[0091] The current detection circuit is configured to: detect a current of the charging
circuit to obtain a current value of the charging circuit, and send the current value
to the protection circuit.
[0092] The control circuit is configured to: determine a charging mode according to the
voltage value of the battery, and determine a protection trigger condition according
to the charging mode.
[0093] The protection circuit is configured to: detect an output current of the charger
to determine an output current value; determine whether the output current value meets
the protection trigger condition; and when the output current value meets the protection
trigger condition, open a switch to interrupt charging.
[0094] It may be understood that the protection circuit may detect whether a voltage of
the battery is an overvoltage and detect whether an output voltage of the charger
is an overvoltage. Therefore, the voltage protection trigger condition includes a
battery voltage protection trigger condition and a charger voltage trigger protection
condition. Specifically, the voltage of the battery corresponds to the battery voltage
protection trigger condition, and the output voltage of the charger corresponds to
the charger voltage protection trigger condition.
[0095] Further, the protection circuit is further connected to the voltage detection circuit
to obtain the voltage value of the battery. The protection circuit is further configured
to: determine whether the voltage value of the battery is greater than the battery
voltage protection trigger condition; and when the voltage value of the battery is
greater than the battery voltage protection trigger condition, open the switch to
interrupt charging.
[0096] Further, the protection circuit is further configured to: detect an output voltage
of the charger to obtain an output voltage value; determine whether the output voltage
value is greater than the charger voltage protection trigger condition; and when the
output voltage value is greater than the charger voltage protection trigger condition,
open the switch to interrupt charging.
[0097] A fourth aspect of the present invention further discloses a terminal. The terminal
includes the charging circuit according to any one of the first aspect to the third
aspect.
[0098] A fifth aspect of the present invention discloses a charging system. The charging
system includes a charger, a connection cable, and the terminal according to the fourth
aspect.
[0099] The charger is connected to the terminal by using the connection cable.
[0100] A sixth aspect of the present invention discloses a charging method. The method includes:
detecting a charging current to obtain a charging current value; detecting a voltage
of a battery to obtain a voltage value of the battery; determining a charging mode
matching the voltage value of the battery; determining a current upper limit value
according to the charging mode; and when the charging current value is greater than
the current upper limit value, adjusting upward an impedance of a charging path according
to the charging current value.
[0101] Further, it should be noted that the method further includes: determining a current
lower limit value according to the charging mode; and when the charging current value
is less than the current lower limit value, adjusting downward the impedance of the
charging path according to the charging current value.
[0102] It can be learned from the foregoing that technical solutions of the present invention
provide a charging circuit, a terminal, and a charging system. The charging circuit
is separately connected to the charger, the terminal load, and the battery. The charging
circuit includes the first adjustment circuit, the current detection circuit, the
voltage detection circuit, and the control circuit. The first end of the first adjustment
circuit is connected to the charger; the second end of the first adjustment circuit
is connected to the positive electrode of the battery; the second end of the first
adjustment circuit is further connected to the terminal load; and the third end of
the first adjustment circuit is connected to the control circuit. The negative electrode
of the battery is connected to the charger. The current detection circuit is connected
in series between the second end of the first adjustment circuit and the positive
electrode of the battery, or is connected in series between the negative electrode
of the battery and the charger. The detection end of the voltage detection circuit
is connected in parallel at the positive and negative electrodes of the battery. The
output end of the voltage detection circuit is connected to the control circuit. The
voltage detection circuit is configured to: detect voltages at two ends of the battery
to obtain a voltage value of the battery, and send the voltage value of the battery
to the control circuit. The current detection circuit is configured to: detect a current
of the charging circuit to obtain a current value of the charging circuit, and send
the current value to the first adjustment circuit. The control circuit is configured
to: determine a charging mode according to the voltage value of the battery, and determine
a current upper limit value according to the charging mode. The first adjustment circuit
is configured to obtain the current value and the current upper limit value; and is
further configured to: compare the current value with the current upper limit value
to determine whether the current value is greater than the current upper limit value,
and when the current value is greater than the current upper limit value, adjust upward
an impedance of the first adjustment circuit according to the current value. The charging
circuit provided in the present invention can adjust, when a charging current suddenly
increases, the charging current, so as to prevent damage to the charging circuit and
the battery due to an excessively high charging current. Further, after the charger
adjusts downward an output current, the charging current decreases. In this case,
the impedance of the adjustment circuit in the charging circuit may be adjusted downward
to increase the charging current, so as to ensure charging efficiency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0103] To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention more
clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing
the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in
the following description show merely some embodiments of the present invention, and
a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying
drawings without creative efforts.
FIG. 1 is an electronic device charging control apparatus in the prior art;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a charging system according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a charging circuit according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a charging circuit according to another embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a charging circuit according to another embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a charging circuit according to another embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a charging circuit according to another embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a charging circuit according to another embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a line graph of a relationship between a conductive impedance of a MOS transistor
and a drive voltage according to another embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 10 shows a charging method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0104] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the
present invention clearer, the following describes the technical solutions of the
embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in
the embodiments of the present invention.
[0105] With development of science and technology, functions of terminals (for example,
electronic devices such as a smartphone, a wearable device, and a tablet computer)
are becoming stronger, and users can perform office work and entertainment by using
the terminals, so that the terminals have become an indispensable part in people's
daily life. However, an endurance capability of a terminal is limited, and a user
needs to continuously charge the terminal.
[0106] To ensure that the user can properly use the terminal, a fast technology becomes
a preferred solution of charging.
[0107] Currently, common fast charging technologies may mainly be classified into two types:
a low-voltage high-current fast charging technology and a high-voltage low-current
fast charging technology. For both low-voltage high-current fast charging and high-voltage
low-current fast charging, a current in a charging circuit of a terminal may be converted,
when being input into a battery, to a higher charging current (which cannot exceed
a maximum safe charging current that the battery can bear or a safe charging current
that does not damage a battery life). In this case, how to ensure charging safety
of fast charging when high-current charging is performed on the battery becomes particularly
important.
[0108] As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic device charging control apparatus is provided in
the prior art. In a process of charging a battery in an electronic device by the electronic
device charging control apparatus, a power adapter first charges the battery by means
of constant-voltage output. After receiving a fast charging instruction command sent
by a charging control module, the power adapter adjusts an output voltage according
to a battery voltage fed back by the charging control module, and adjusts, when the
output voltage meets a fast charging voltage condition preset by the charging control
module, an output current and the output voltage according to a fast charging current
value and a fast charging voltage value, so as to perform fast charging on the battery.
In addition, the charging control module introduces a direct current from the power
adapter to charge the battery. In a fast charging process, the power adapter further
adjusts the output current in real time according to the output voltage of the power
adapter and the battery voltage, so that fast charging of the battery is implemented
by adjusting the output current and the output voltage of the power adapter.
[0109] It can be learned from the foregoing that in the technical solution, the power adapter
obtains, in a real-time communication manner, feedback information of a charging current
and a charging voltage from the charging control module in the electronic device,
and performs real-time adjustment in the power adapter. The technical solution is
applicable to a scenario in which a requirement on real-time adjustment is relatively
low in a charging process. In a charging scenario in which a requirement on real-time
adjustment is relatively high, if a current required by a terminal load suddenly decreases
and output adjustment of the power adapter is not performed in time, the charging
current flowing to the battery suddenly increases. This easily causes a potential
safety threat to a charging circuit and a charged battery in the electronic device.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 1 is a charging system according to an embodiment of the
present invention. By means of the charging system provided in the present invention,
when a charging current suddenly increases, the charging current can be adjusted,
so as to prevent damage to a charging circuit and a battery due to an excessively
high charging current.
[0111] Specifically, the charging system includes a terminal, a charger, and a connection
cable. The terminal is connected to the charger by using the connection cable.
[0112] The terminal may be an electronic device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer,
an intelligent wearable device, or a computer.
[0113] As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal includes a terminal load, the battery, and the charging
circuit of the terminal.
[0114] The charging circuit is separately connected to the charger, the terminal load, and
the battery.
[0115] It should be noted that the charging circuit is configured to: detect voltages at
two ends of the battery to obtain a voltage value of the battery, determine a charging
mode according to the voltage value of the battery, and determine a current upper
limit value according to the charging mode; and is further configured to: detect a
current of the charging circuit to obtain a current value of the charging circuit,
determine whether the current value is greater than the current upper limit value,
and when the current value is greater than the current upper limit value, adjust upward
an impedance of the adjustment circuit according to the current value.
[0116] Further, the charging circuit is further configured to: determine a current lower
limit value according to the charging mode; determine whether the current value is
less than the current lower limit value; and when the current value is less than the
current lower limit value, adjust downward the impedance of the adjustment circuit
according to the current value.
[0117] It can be learned from the foregoing that by means of the charging circuit provided
in the present invention, in a scenario in which a charging current suddenly increases
during charging because a current consumed by a terminal load decreases and an output
current from a power adapter cannot be adjusted in time, an impedance of the charging
circuit can be adjusted in a charging process to decrease the charging current, so
as to prevent damage to the battery or the charging circuit due to an excessively
high charging current, and further ensure charging safety. Further, after the charger
adjusts downward the output current, the charging current decreases. In this case,
the impedance of the adjustment circuit in the charging circuit may be adjusted downward
to increase the charging current, so as to ensure charging efficiency.
[0118] As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows a specific implementation of a charging circuit.
The charging circuit 10 is separately connected to a charger, a terminal load, and
a battery, so that when charging the battery by using the charging circuit, the charger
can further supply power to the terminal load.
[0119] Specifically, the charging circuit 10 includes a first adjustment circuit 110, a
current detection circuit 120, a voltage detection circuit 130, and a control circuit
140.
[0120] As shown in FIG. 3, the first adjustment circuit 110 is connected to a positive electrode
of the charger; a second end of the first adjustment circuit 110 is connected to a
first end of the current detection circuit 120; the second end of the first adjustment
circuit 110 is further connected to the terminal load; and a third end of the first
adjustment circuit 110 is connected to the control circuit 140.
[0121] It should be noted that the first adjustment circuit may be a MOS transistor (that
is, a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor which may be also referred
to as a metal insulator transistor). It may be understood that the MOS transistor
has three ports. The three ports are respectively a G electrode, an S electrode, and
a D electrode.
[0122] The first end may be the S electrode, the second end may be the D electrode, and
the third end may be the G electrode.
[0123] Alternatively, the first end may be the D electrode, the second end may be the P
electrode, and the third end may be the G electrode. Specifically, the first adjustment
circuit may adjust an impedance of the first adjustment circuit by adjusting drive
voltages at G and S ends.
[0124] A second end of the current detection circuit 120 is connected to a positive electrode
of the battery; and a negative electrode of the battery is connected to the charger.
Alternatively, the current detection circuit 120 is connected in series between the
negative electrode of the battery and the charger; and a detection end of the voltage
detection circuit 130 is connected in parallel at the positive and negative electrodes
of the battery.
[0125] It may be understood that one end of the voltage detection circuit 130 is connected
to the positive electrode of the battery, and another end is connected to the negative
electrode of the battery. An output end of the voltage detection circuit 130 is further
connected to the control circuit 140. It may be understood according to the connection
manner that the voltage detection circuit 130 is configured to: detect voltages at
two ends of the battery to obtain a voltage value of the battery, and send the voltage
value of the battery to the control circuit 140.
[0126] The current detection circuit 120 is configured to: detect a current of the charging
circuit to obtain a current value of the charging circuit, and send the current value
to the first adjustment circuit 110.
[0127] The control circuit 140 is configured to: determine a charging mode according to
the voltage value of the battery, and determine a current upper limit value according
to the charging mode.
[0128] For example, the control circuit 140 searches the following table according to the
voltage value of the battery to determine the charging mode.
| Charging mode |
Battery voltage value |
| Not charged |
≤2.8 V |
| 8 A fast charging |
2.8-4.2 V |
| 6 A fast charging |
4.2-4.3 V |
| 4 A fast charging |
4.3-4.4 V |
| Charging completed |
Battery voltage: 4.4 V; charging current: less than 0.03 A |
[0129] Further, the control circuit 140 searches the following table according to the charging
mode to determine the current upper limit value.
| Charging mode |
Current upper limit value and current lower limit value |
Adjustment manner |
| 8 A fast charging |
Greater than 8.3 A or less than 7.7 A |
Constant-current control |
| 6 A fast charging |
Greater than 6.3 A or less than 5.7 A |
Constant-current control |
| 4 A fast charging |
Greater than 4.3 A or less than 3.7 A |
Constant-current control |
| 4.4 V constant-voltage charging |
A battery voltage reaches 4.4 V |
Not adjusted |
[0130] The first adjustment circuit 110 is configured to obtain the current value and the
current upper limit value; and is further configured to: determine whether the current
value is greater than the current upper limit value, and when the current value is
greater than the current upper limit value, adjust upward an impedance of the first
adjustment circuit according to the current value.
[0131] It should be noted that an objective of adjusting upward the impedance of the first
adjustment circuit 110 is to decrease a charging current, that is, a larger current
value indicates a higher adjusted impedance of the first adjustment circuit. However,
the impedance of the first adjustment circuit usually has a default maximum value
or a manually specified maximum value. When the impedance of the adjustment circuit
is adjusted to the maximum value and the charging current is still greater than the
current upper limit value, the first adjustment circuit is disconnected and sends
an alarm to the control circuit 140, so that the control circuit re-configures a related
charging parameter (for example, an output voltage of the charger or an output current
of the charger) for attempt of re-charging.
[0132] Further, it should be noted that when the charging current is greater than the current
upper limit value, interaction needs to be performed with the charger, so that the
charger adjusts downward the output current, or output power, or the output voltage.
[0133] Specifically, the current detection circuit 120 is further connected to the control
circuit 140.
[0134] The current detection circuit 120 is further configured to send the current value
to the control circuit 140.
[0135] The control circuit 140 is configured to: determine whether the current value is
greater than the current upper limit value; and when the current value is greater
than the current upper limit value, send an adjustment instruction to the charger,
so that the charger adjusts downward output power, an output current, or an output
voltage.
[0136] Further, it should be noted that when the charger adjusts downward the output current,
the output voltage, or the output power, the current of the charging circuit decreases.
If a current value of a decreased current is less than a current lower limit value,
to ensure charging efficiency, the impedance of the first adjustment circuit 110 needs
to be adjusted downward, so as to increase the charging current.
[0137] Specifically, the control circuit 140 is further configured to determine a current
lower limit value according to the charging mode. The first adjustment circuit 110
is further configured to: obtain the current lower limit value; determine whether
the current value is less than the current lower limit value; and when the current
value is less than the current lower limit value, adjust downward the impedance of
the first adjustment circuit according to the current value.
[0138] It should be noted that if the impedance of the first adjustment circuit is currently
relatively high, the output current of the charger decreases after the control circuit
interacts with the charger. In this case, the charging current of the charging circuit
decreases and the charging efficiency is affected. To ensure the charging efficiency
of the battery, the impedance of the first adjustment circuit needs to be adjusted
downward to increase the charging current.
[0139] Based on the charging circuit shown in FIG. 3, to prevent an overvoltage or an overcurrent,
the charging circuit 10 further includes a protection circuit 150.
[0140] As shown in FIG. 4, the protection circuit 150 is connected in series between the
charger and the first end of the first adjustment circuit 110. The control circuit
140 is further connected to the protection circuit 150.
[0141] The control circuit 140 is further configured to: determine a protection trigger
condition according to the charging mode, and send the protection trigger condition
to the protection circuit 150.
[0142] For example, the control circuit 140 may search the following table according to
the charging mode to determine the protection trigger condition.
| Charging mode |
Overcurrent protection threshold |
Battery overvoltage protection threshold |
Charging cut-off |
| 8 A fast charging |
10.5 A |
4.41 V |
4.4 V |
| 6 A fast charging |
8.5 A |
| 4 A fast charging |
6.5 A |
| 4.4 V constant-voltage charging |
4.5 A |
[0143] The protection circuit 150 is configured to: detect an output current of the charger
to determine an output current value; determine whether the output current value meets
the protection trigger condition; and when the output current value meets the protection
trigger condition, open a switch to interrupt charging.
[0144] It can be learned from the foregoing table that the protection trigger condition
includes a current protection trigger condition and a voltage protection trigger condition.
That is, the protection circuit 150 is specifically configured to: determine whether
the output current value is greater than the current protection trigger condition
(an overcurrent protection threshold); and when the output current value is greater
than the current protection trigger condition, open the switch to interrupt charging.
[0145] It may be understood that the protection circuit 150 may detect whether a voltage
of the battery is an overvoltage and detect whether the output voltage of the charger
is an overvoltage. Therefore, the voltage protection trigger condition includes a
battery voltage protection trigger condition and a charger voltage trigger protection
condition. Specifically, the voltage of the battery corresponds to the battery voltage
protection trigger condition, and the output voltage of the charger corresponds to
the charger voltage protection trigger condition.
[0146] Further, the protection circuit 150 is further connected to the voltage detection
circuit 130 to obtain the voltage value of the battery.
[0147] The protection circuit 150 is further configured to: detect an output voltage of
the charger to determine an output voltage value; determine whether the output voltage
value is greater than the battery voltage protection trigger condition (an overvoltage
protection threshold); and when the voltage value of the battery is greater than the
battery voltage protection trigger condition, open the switch to interrupt charging.
[0148] Further, the protection circuit is further configured to: detect the output voltage
of the charger to obtain the output voltage value; determine whether the output voltage
value is greater than the charger voltage protection trigger condition; and when the
output voltage value is greater than the charger voltage protection trigger condition,
open the switch to interrupt charging.
[0149] As shown in FIG. 4, the charging circuit 10 further includes a communication circuit
160.
[0150] The communication circuit 160 is connected to the control circuit 140.
[0151] The control circuit 140 is further configured to send the charging mode to the communication
circuit 160.
[0152] The communication circuit 160 is configured to send the charging mode to the charger,
so that the charger performs charging according to the charging mode.
[0153] It should be noted that the communication circuit may be connected to the charger
by using a connection cable or may interact with the charger in a wireless manner
to perform information transfer.
[0154] As shown in FIG. 4, to adjust the charging current more precisely, the charging circuit
further includes a second adjustment circuit 170. The second adjustment circuit may
be a MOS transistor, or may be a slide rheostat.
[0155] The second adjustment circuit 170 is connected in series between the second end of
the first adjustment circuit 110 and the current detection circuit 120. Alternatively,
the second adjustment circuit 170 may be connected in series between the positive
electrode of the battery and the current detection circuit 120.
[0156] The second adjustment circuit 170 is further connected to the control circuit 140.
[0157] The control circuit 140 is further configured to determine an adjustment threshold
of the second adjustment circuit 140 according to the charging mode.
[0158] The second adjustment circuit 140 is configured to adjust an impedance of the second
adjustment circuit according to the current value and the adjustment threshold of
the second adjustment circuit.
[0159] Specifically, it should be noted that the adjustment threshold of the second adjustment
circuit 140 also includes an upper threshold and a lower threshold. It may be understood
that when the current value is greater than the upper threshold, the impedance of
the second adjustment circuit 170 is adjusted upward to decrease the charging current;
or when the current value is less than the lower threshold, the impedance of the second
adjustment circuit is adjusted downward to increase the charging current.
[0160] As shown in FIG. 4, to prevent a current required by the terminal load from suddenly
decreasing, the charging circuit 10 further includes a third adjustment circuit 180
and a current monitoring circuit 190.
[0161] The third adjustment circuit 180 and the current monitoring circuit 190 are connected
in series between the first adjustment circuit 110 and the terminal load.
[0162] The current monitoring circuit 190 is configured to: monitor a decrease amplitude
of a current of the terminal load; and when the decrease amplitude exceeds a preset
threshold, send an adjustment instruction to the third adjustment circuit 180.
[0163] The third adjustment circuit 180 is configured to adjust upward an impedance of the
third adjustment circuit according to the adjustment instruction.
[0164] Further, it should be noted that because power consumed by the terminal load decreases,
the third adjustment circuit 180 needs to perform current shunting to prevent the
charging current of the charging circuit from being excessively high. When monitoring
that the power consumed by the terminal load decreases, a terminal instructs the charger
to decrease output power or the output current. After receiving an instruction from
the terminal, the charger decreases the output power or the output current. This adjustment
function takes time. After the adjustment is completed, a load current of the terminal
decreases. In this case, a third adjustment unit decreases the impedance or restores
the impedance to a state before the impedance is adjusted upward.
[0165] Specifically, the third adjustment circuit 180 is further configured to restore,
after preset duration, the impedance of the third adjustment circuit 180 to a state
before the impedance is adjusted upward.
[0166] It should be noted that the preset duration is greater than current adjustment duration
of the charger.
[0167] After the current required by the terminal load decreases, a current of the charging
circuit increases. In this case, the control circuit sends, to the charger, an instruction
for decreasing the output current. After receiving the instruction, the charger has
the current adjustment duration, that is, the charger adjusts the current to a target
value in the current adjustment duration.
[0168] In conclusion, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it may be learned that to prevent
the power consumed by the terminal load or the current from suddenly decreasing and
prevent an excessively high charging current due to that the charger cannot decrease
the output power or the current in time, the present invention provides a charging
circuit. The charging circuit includes the adjustment circuit that can perform current
shunting in time, so as to prevent damage to the charging circuit or the battery due
to an excessively high charging current. Further, after the charger adjusts downward
the output current, the charging current decreases. In this case, the impedance of
the adjustment circuit in the charging circuit may be adjusted downward to increase
the charging current, so as to ensure charging efficiency.
[0169] As shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 5 shows a specific implementation of a charging circuit.
The charging circuit 20 is separately connected to a charger, a terminal load, and
a battery. The charging circuit 20 includes a first adjustment circuit 210, a current
detection circuit 220, a voltage detection circuit 230, and a control circuit 240.
[0170] Different from the charging circuit shown in FIG. 3, the first adjustment circuit
210 in the charging circuit 20 is deployed in a charging branch circuit.
[0171] Specifically, a first end of the first adjustment circuit 210 is connected to the
charger; the first end of the first adjustment circuit 210 is further connected to
the terminal load; a second end of the first adjustment circuit 210 is connected to
a first end of the current detection circuit 220; and a third end of the first adjustment
circuit 210 is connected to the control circuit 240.
[0172] The first adjustment circuit may be a MOS transistor.
[0173] It may be understood that the first end of the first adjustment circuit 210 is connected
to a positive electrode of the charger.
[0174] A second end of the current detection circuit 220 is connected to a positive electrode
of the battery. Alternatively, the current detection circuit may be connected in series
between a negative electrode of the battery and the charger.
[0175] The negative electrode of the battery is connected to the charger. It may be understood
that the negative electrode of the battery is connected to a negative electrode of
the charger.
[0176] A detection end of the voltage detection circuit 230 is connected in parallel at
the positive and negative electrodes of the battery, and an output end of the voltage
detection circuit 230 is further connected to the control circuit 240.
[0177] The voltage detection circuit 230 is configured to: detect voltages at two ends of
the battery to obtain a voltage value of the battery, and send the voltage value of
the battery to the control circuit 240.
[0178] The current detection circuit 220 is configured to: detect a current of the charging
circuit to obtain a current value of the charging circuit, and send the current value
to the first adjustment circuit 210.
[0179] The control circuit 240 is configured to: determine a charging mode according to
the voltage value of the battery, and determine a current upper limit value according
to the charging mode.
[0180] The first adjustment circuit 210 is configured to obtain the current value and the
current upper limit value; and is further configured to: determine whether the current
value is greater than the current upper limit value, and when the current value is
greater than the current upper limit value, adjust upward an impedance of the first
adjustment circuit according to the current value.
[0181] Further, it should be noted that the current detection circuit 210 is further connected
to the control circuit 240.
[0182] The current detection circuit 210 is further configured to send the current value
to the control circuit 240.
[0183] The control circuit 240 is configured to: determine whether the current value is
greater than the current upper limit value; and when the current value is greater
than the current upper limit value, send an adjustment instruction to the charger,
so that the charger adjusts downward output power, an output current, or an output
voltage.
[0184] Further, it should be noted that after the control circuit 240 interacts with the
charger, the charger adjusts downward the output current. In this case, a charging
current decreases. To ensure charging efficiency, the impedance of the first adjustment
circuit 210 needs to be adjusted downward. Details are as follows:
[0185] The control circuit 240 is further configured to determine a current lower limit
value according to the charging mode.
[0186] The first adjustment circuit 210 is configured to: obtain the current lower limit
value; determine whether the current value is less than the current lower limit value;
and when the current value is less than the current lower limit value, adjust downward
the impedance of the adjustment circuit according to the current value.
[0187] Based on FIG. 5, a charging circuit 20 shown in FIG. 6 further includes a protection
circuit 250. The protection circuit 250 may be configured to prevent an overvoltage
or an overcurrent.
[0188] Specifically, the protection circuit 250 is connected in series between the charger
and the first adjustment circuit 210.
[0189] The control circuit 240 is further connected to the protection circuit 250.
[0190] The control circuit 240 is further configured to: determine a protection trigger
condition according to the charging mode, and send the protection trigger condition
to the protection circuit 250.
[0191] The protection circuit 250 is configured to: detect the output current of the charger
to determine an output current value; determine whether the output current value meets
the protection trigger condition; and when the output current value meets the protection
trigger condition, open a switch to interrupt charging.
[0192] It may be understood that the protection trigger condition includes both a current
trigger protection condition and a voltage trigger protection condition.
[0193] Specifically, the protection circuit 250 is configured to: detect the output current
of the charger to determine the output current value; determine whether the output
current value is greater than the current protection trigger condition; and when the
output current value is greater than the current protection trigger condition, open
the switch to interrupt charging.
[0194] It may be understood that the protection circuit 250 may detect whether a voltage
of the battery is an overvoltage and detect whether the output voltage of the charger
is an overvoltage. Therefore, the voltage protection trigger condition includes a
battery voltage protection trigger condition and a charger voltage trigger protection
condition. Specifically, the voltage of the battery corresponds to the battery voltage
protection trigger condition, and the output voltage of the charger corresponds to
the charger voltage protection trigger condition. It should be noted that the protection
circuit 250 is further connected to the voltage detection circuit 230 to obtain the
voltage value of the battery.
[0195] The protection circuit 250 is further configured to: determine whether the voltage
value of the battery is greater than the voltage protection trigger condition; and
when the voltage value of the battery is greater than the voltage protection trigger
condition, open the switch to interrupt charging.
[0196] Further, the protection circuit 250 is further configured to: detect the output voltage
of the charger to obtain an output voltage value; determine whether the output voltage
value is greater than the charger voltage protection trigger condition; and when the
output voltage value is greater than the charger voltage protection trigger condition,
open the switch to interrupt charging.
[0197] As shown in FIG. 6, the charging circuit 20 further includes a communication circuit
260. Specifically, the communication circuit 260 is connected to the control circuit
240. The control circuit 240 needs to interact with the charger to control the charger
to adjust the output power, the output voltage, or the output current.
[0198] Details are as follows:
The control circuit 240 is further configured to send the charging mode to the communication
circuit 260.
[0199] The communication circuit 260 is configured to send the charging mode to the charger,
so that the charger performs charging according to the charging mode.
[0200] It should be noted that the communication circuit 260 may be connected to the charger
by using a connection cable to perform information transfer. Alternatively, the communication
circuit may interact with the charger in a wireless manner.
[0201] As shown in FIG. 6, the charging circuit 20 further includes a second adjustment
circuit 270 and a current monitoring circuit 280.
[0202] The second adjustment circuit 270 and the current monitoring circuit 280 are connected
in series between the first end of the first adjustment circuit 210 and the terminal
load.
[0203] The current monitoring circuit 280 is configured to: monitor a decrease amplitude
of a current of the terminal load; and when the decrease amplitude exceeds a preset
threshold, send an adjustment instruction to the second adjustment circuit.
[0204] The second adjustment circuit 270 is configured to adjust upward an impedance of
the second adjustment circuit according to the adjustment instruction.
[0205] Further, it should be noted that the second adjustment circuit 270 is further configured
to restore, after preset duration, the impedance of the second adjustment circuit
270 to a state before the impedance is adjusted upward.
[0206] As shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 7 provides another specific charging circuit 30. The charging
circuit 30 is separately connected to a charger, a terminal load, and a battery. The
charging circuit 30 includes an adjustment circuit 310, a current monitoring circuit
320, a current detection circuit 330, a voltage detection circuit 340, a control circuit
350, a protection circuit 360, and a communication circuit 370.
[0207] A first end of the adjustment circuit 310 is connected to the charger; a second end
of the adjustment circuit 310 is connected to a first end of the current monitoring
circuit 320; and a second end of the current monitoring circuit 320 is connected to
the terminal load.
[0208] A positive electrode of the charger is connected to a positive electrode of the battery;
and a negative electrode of the charger is connected to a negative electrode of the
battery.
[0209] The current monitoring circuit 320 is configured to: monitor a decrease amplitude
of a current of the terminal load; and when the decrease amplitude exceeds a preset
threshold, send an adjustment instruction to the adjustment circuit 310.
[0210] The adjustment circuit 320 is configured to adjust upward an impedance of the adjustment
circuit according to the adjustment instruction.
[0211] Further, it should be noted that the adjustment circuit 320 is further configured
to: after preset duration for which the impedance of the adjustment circuit is adjusted
upward, restore the impedance of the adjustment circuit 320 to a state before the
impedance is adjusted upward.
[0212] The protection circuit 360 and the current detection circuit 330 are connected in
series between the charger and the battery.
[0213] The voltage detection circuit 340 is connected in parallel at two ends of the battery.
[0214] The control circuit 350 is connected to the current detection circuit 330, is further
connected to the voltage detection circuit 340, and is further connected to the protection
circuit 360.
[0215] The voltage detection circuit 340 is configured to: detect voltages at the two ends
of the battery to obtain a voltage value of the battery, and send the voltage value
of the battery to the control circuit 350.
[0216] The current detection circuit 330 is configured to detect a current of the charging
circuit to obtain a current value of the charging circuit.
[0217] The control circuit 350 is configured to determine a charging mode according to the
voltage value of the battery.
[0218] The control circuit 350 is further configured to: when the current value is greater
than a current upper limit value, send, to the charger by using the communication
circuit 370, an instruction for adjusting downward an output voltage or output power.
[0219] The control circuit 350 is further configured to: when the current value is less
than a current lower limit value, send, to the charger by using the communication
circuit 370, an instruction for adjusting upward the output voltage or the output
power.
[0220] The protection circuit 360 is configured to: detect an output current of the charger
to determine an output current value; determine whether the output current value meets
the protection trigger condition; and when the output current value meets the protection
trigger condition, open a switch to interrupt charging.
[0221] In another embodiment of the present invention, a specific charging circuit is provided,
as shown in FIG. 8. The charging circuit adjusts a charging current by using a feature
that a drain-source on-state resistance of a MOS transistor changes with a drive voltage.
A relationship between the drain-source on-state resistance of the MOS transistor
and the drive voltage is shown in FIG. 9.
[0222] Specifically, when the drive voltage reaches a switch-on voltage, the MOS transistor
is switched on, and a conductive impedance is maximum. As a vgs voltage (the drive
voltage) increases, the conductive impedance gradually decreases.
[0223] When the drive voltage is lower than Vth, the MOS transistor is switched off, and
the charging ends.
[0224] Based on the principle, the MOS transistor may be used as a switching tube and an
adjustment component to implement adjustment and protection in a charging process.
[0225] The charging circuit shown in FIG. 8 includes a protection circuit, an adjustment
circuit, a first current detection circuit, a second current detection circuit, a
voltage detection circuit, a communication circuit, and a control circuit.
[0226] The protection circuit includes resistors R1 and R2 and comparators CMP1 and CMP2.
[0227] Specifically, the R1 and the R2 form a voltage division network and detect an input
voltage. The CMP1 compares a detected voltage with an input overvoltage threshold
to determine whether the detected voltage is an input overvoltage.
[0228] The first current detection circuit is configured to detect a current passing through
the protection circuit and the adjustment circuit, and may be specifically a resistor
or an amplification circuit. Alternatively, a detected current value may be obtained
by dividing a voltage drop between two ends of the MOS transistor by a drain-source
on-state resistance value of the MOS transistor. The detected current value is compared
with an overcurrent threshold in a comparison circuit of the CMP2 to determine whether
an overcurrent occurs.
[0229] The voltage detection circuit includes resistors R3 and R4.
[0230] The R3 and the R4 form a voltage division network, detect a voltage of a battery
to obtain a voltage value of the battery, and provide the voltage of the battery for
the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to determine a protection threshold
of the protection circuit and an adjustment threshold of the adjustment circuit according
to the voltage value of the battery.
[0231] The second current detection circuit includes a resistor R5 and an amplification
circuit OP1.
[0232] Specifically, the R5 and the OP1 form a charging current sampling and amplification
circuit. The OP1 may be one of an in-phase amplification circuit, a reverse-phase
amplification circuit, or a differential amplification circuit.
[0233] The second current detection circuit is configured to detect a charging current.
[0234] The adjustment circuit includes two MOS transistors (Q1 and Q2), a drive circuit,
and a control logic circuit. It should be noted that the adjustment circuit may alternatively
include one MOS transistor because a current adjustment function can also be achieved
by using one MOS transistor.
[0235] The control logic circuit compares the charging current with a specified lower limit
value of a charging current adjustment threshold. If the charging current is lower
than the lower limit value of the charging current adjustment threshold, the control
logic circuit gradually increases the drive voltage of the MOS transistor. The conductive
impedance of the MOS transistor gradually decreases until the conductive impedance
of the MOS transistor reaches a lower limit value, so as to increase the charging
current.
[0236] The control logic circuit compares the charging current with a specified upper limit
value of the charging current adjustment threshold. If the charging current is higher
than the upper limit of the charging current adjustment threshold, the control logic
circuit decreases the drive voltage of the MOS transistor. The conductive impedance
of the MOS transistor gradually increases, so as to decrease the charging current.
[0237] The drive circuit includes a DC/DC converting circuit and separately outputs a voltage
to the Q1 and the Q2 according to an instruction of the control logic circuit, so
as to control conductive impedances of the Q1 and the Q2.
[0238] The Q1 and the Q2 are connected in series to the battery. The two MOS transistors
Q1 and Q2 control closing and opening of a charging path.
[0239] The charging circuit shown in FIG. 8 may adjust the charging current by following
the following steps:
Step 1: The voltage detection circuit detects a voltage of the battery to obtain a
voltage value of the battery, and sends the voltage value of the battery to the control
circuit.
Step 2: The second current detection circuit detects a charging current to obtain
a charging current value, and sends the charging current value to the control circuit.
Step 3: The control circuit selects a charging mode according to the voltage value
of the battery; the control circuit may further configure a current protection threshold
or a voltage protection threshold of the protection circuit according to the selected
charging mode; and the control circuit may further configure an adjustment threshold
range of the adjustment circuit according to the selected charging mode.
Step 4: Comparison circuits of the CMP1 and the CMP2 determine whether an overcurrent
or an overvoltage occurs; and if the overcurrent or the overvoltage occurs, control
logic sends a switch-off command, and the Q1 or the Q2 is switched off.
Step 5: The control logic circuit compares a charging current with an upper limit
and a lower limit of a specified charging current adjustment threshold; and if the
charging current is lower than the lower limit of charging current adjustment, the
control logic circuit gradually increases a drive voltage of the MOS transistor, so
that a conductive impedance of the MOS transistor gradually decreases until the conductive
impedance of the MOS transistor reaches the lower limit value, so as to increase the
charging current; or if the charging current is higher than the upper limit of charging
current adjustment, the control logic circuit decreases a drive voltage of the MOS
transistor, so that a conductive impedance of the MOS transistor gradually increases,
so as to decrease the charging current.
Step 6: The control circuit receives a request that is for adjusting an output voltage
of the charger and that is sent by the adjustment circuit, generates a charging power
adjustment instruction according to the request, and feeds back the charging power
adjustment instruction to an external charger by using the communication circuit.
Step 7: The external charger adjusts output power according to the charging power
adjustment instruction.
Step 8: When a current value or a voltage value that is at an end of the battery and
that is obtained by the detection circuit reaches a charge cut-off threshold, the
protection circuit is open, and the charging ends.
[0240] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a charging method. The method
specifically includes: detecting a voltage of a battery to obtain a voltage value
of the battery; selecting a charging mode according to the voltage value of the battery,
where common charging modes include 8 A charging, 6 A charging, 4 A charging, and
the like; determining a current upper limit value and a current lower limit value
of an adjustment circuit according to the charging mode; when a charging current value
exceeds the current upper limit value, adjusting upward an impedance of the adjustment
circuit, so as to decrease charging power at a battery end; then requesting a control
circuit to adjust downward an output voltage of a charger; and after the charger adjusts
downward the output voltage, gradually adjusting a conductive impedance of the adjustment
circuit to a minimum, where when the voltage value of the battery reaches a charging
voltage cut-off threshold and a charging current reaches a charging current cut-off
threshold, the protection circuit is open and the charging ends.
[0241] As shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 10 provides a charging method. The method includes the
following steps:
401: Detect a charging current to obtain a charging current value.
402: Detect a voltage of a battery to obtain a voltage value of the battery.
403: Determine a charging mode matching the voltage value of the battery.
404: Determine a current upper limit value according to the charging mode.
405: When the charging current value is greater than the current upper limit value,
adjust upward an impedance of a charging path according to the charging current value.
406: Send, to a charger, an instruction for adjusting downward output power, so that
the charger adjusts downward the output power according to the instruction.
407: When detecting that the output power of the charger decreases, gradually adjust
downward an impedance of a charging circuit.
[0242] Therefore, it may be learned that by means of the charging method provided in the
present invention, when the charging current suddenly increases, the charging current
may be adjusted, so as to prevent damage to the charging circuit and the battery due
to an excessively high charging current. Further, after the charger adjusts downward
an output current, the charging current decreases. In this case, an impedance of an
adjustment circuit in the charging circuit may be adjusted downward to increase the
charging current, so as to ensure charging efficiency.
[0243] A person of ordinary skill in the art may be aware that, in combination with the
examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, units and algorithm
steps may be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software
and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or software
depends on particular applications and design constraint conditions of the technical
solutions. A person skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the
described functions for each particular application, but it should not be considered
that the implementation goes beyond the scope of the present invention.
[0244] It may be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art that, for the purpose
of convenient and brief description, for a detailed working process of the foregoing
system, apparatus, and unit, reference may be made to a corresponding process in the
foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.
[0245] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood
that the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be implemented in other manners.
For example, the described apparatus embodiment is merely an example. For example,
the unit division is merely logical function division and may be other division in
actual implementation. For example, a plurality of units or components may be combined
or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed.
In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication
connections may be implemented through some interfaces. The indirect couplings or
communication connections between the apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic,
mechanical, or other forms.
[0246] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and
parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one position,
or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may
be selected according to actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solutions
of the embodiments.
[0247] In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present invention may be
integrated into one processing unit, or each of the units may exist alone physically,
or two or more units are integrated into one unit.
[0248] The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of the present invention,
but are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any variation
or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical
scope disclosed in the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of
the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall
be subject to the protection scope of the claims.
1. A charging circuit, wherein the charging circuit is separately connected to a charger,
a terminal load, and a battery, and the charging circuit comprises a first adjustment
circuit, a current detection circuit, a voltage detection circuit, and a control circuit,
wherein
a first end of the first adjustment circuit is connected to the charger; a second
end of the first adjustment circuit is connected to a positive electrode of the battery;
the second end of the first adjustment circuit is further connected to the terminal
load; and a third end of the first adjustment circuit is connected to the control
circuit;
a negative electrode of the battery is connected to the charger;
the current detection circuit is connected in series between the second end of the
first adjustment circuit and the positive electrode of the battery, or is connected
in series between the negative electrode of the battery and the charger;
a detection end of the voltage detection circuit is connected in parallel at the positive
and negative electrodes of the battery, and an output end of the voltage detection
circuit is connected to the control circuit;
the voltage detection circuit is configured to: detect voltages at two ends of the
battery to obtain a voltage value of the battery, and send the voltage value of the
battery to the control circuit;
the current detection circuit is configured to: detect a current of the charging circuit
to obtain a current value of the charging circuit, and send the current value to the
first adjustment circuit;
the control circuit is configured to: determine a charging mode according to the voltage
value of the battery, and determine a current upper limit value according to the charging
mode; and
the first adjustment circuit is configured to obtain the current value and the current
upper limit value; and is further configured to: compare the current value with the
current upper limit value to determine whether the current value is greater than the
current upper limit value, and when the current value is greater than the current
upper limit value, adjust upward an impedance of the first adjustment circuit according
to the current value.
2. The charging circuit according to claim 1, wherein:
the control circuit is further configured to determine a current lower limit value
according to the charging mode; and
the first adjustment circuit is further configured to: obtain the current lower limit
value; compare the current value with the current lower limit value to determine whether
the current value is less than the current lower limit value; and when the current
value is less than the current lower limit value, adjust downward the impedance of
the first adjustment circuit according to the current value.
3. The charging circuit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the charging circuit further
comprises a protection circuit;
the protection circuit is connected in series between the charger and the first end
of the first adjustment circuit;
the control circuit is further connected to the protection circuit;
the control circuit is further configured to: determine a protection trigger condition
according to the charging mode, and send the protection trigger condition to the protection
circuit; and
the protection circuit is configured to: detect an output current of the charger to
determine an output current value; determine whether the output current value meets
the protection trigger condition; and when the output current value meets the protection
trigger condition, open a switch to interrupt charging.
4. The charging circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the charging circuit
further comprises a communication circuit, and the communication circuit is connected
to the control circuit;
the control circuit is further configured to send the charging mode to the communication
circuit; and
the communication circuit is configured to send the charging mode to the charger,
so that the charger performs charging according to the charging mode.
5. The charging circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the charging circuit
further comprises a second adjustment circuit;
the second adjustment circuit is connected in series between the second end of the
first adjustment circuit and the positive electrode of the battery; and the second
adjustment circuit is further connected to the control circuit;
the control circuit is further configured to determine an adjustment threshold of
the second adjustment circuit according to the charging mode; and
the second adjustment circuit is configured to adjust an impedance of the second adjustment
circuit according to the current value and the adjustment threshold of the second
adjustment circuit.
6. The charging circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the charging circuit
further comprises a third adjustment circuit and a current monitoring circuit, wherein
the third adjustment circuit and the current monitoring circuit are connected in series
between the second end of the first adjustment circuit and the terminal load; and
the current monitoring circuit is configured to: monitor a decrease amplitude of a
current of the terminal load, and when the decrease amplitude exceeds a preset threshold,
send an adjustment instruction to the third adjustment circuit; and
the third adjustment circuit is configured to adjust upward an impedance of the third
adjustment circuit according to the adjustment instruction.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein:
the third adjustment circuit is further configured to restore, after preset duration,
the impedance of the third adjustment circuit to a state before the impedance is adjusted
upward.
8. A charging circuit, wherein the charging circuit is separately connected to a charger,
a terminal load, and a battery, and the charging circuit comprises a first adjustment
circuit, a current detection circuit, a voltage detection circuit, and a control circuit,
wherein
a first end of the first adjustment circuit is connected to the charger; the first
end of the first adjustment circuit is further connected to the terminal load; a second
end of the first adjustment circuit is connected to a positive electrode of the battery;
and a third end of the first adjustment circuit is connected to the control circuit;
a negative electrode of the battery is connected to the charger;
the current detection circuit is connected in series between the second end of the
first adjustment circuit and the positive electrode of the battery, or is connected
in series between the negative electrode of the battery and the charger;
a detection end of the voltage detection circuit is connected in parallel at the positive
and negative electrodes of the battery, and an output end of the voltage detection
circuit is connected to the control circuit;
the voltage detection circuit is configured to: detect voltages at two ends of the
battery to obtain a voltage value of the battery, and send the voltage value of the
battery to the control circuit;
the current detection circuit is configured to: detect a current of the charging circuit
to obtain a current value of the charging circuit, and send the current value to the
first adjustment circuit;
the control circuit is configured to: determine a charging mode according to the voltage
value of the battery, and determine a current upper limit value according to the charging
mode; and
the first adjustment circuit is configured to obtain the current value and the current
upper limit value; and is further configured to: compare the current value with the
current upper limit value to determine whether the current value is greater than the
current upper limit value, and when the current value is greater than the current
upper limit value, adjust upward an impedance of the first adjustment circuit according
to the current value.
9. The charging circuit according to claim 8, wherein:
the control circuit is further configured to determine a current lower limit value
according to the charging mode; and
the first adjustment circuit is configured to: obtain the current lower limit value;
compare the current value with the current lower limit value to determine whether
the current value is less than the current lower limit value; and when the current
value is less than the current lower limit value, adjust downward the impedance of
the adjustment circuit according to the current value.
10. The charging circuit according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the charging circuit further
comprises a protection circuit;
the protection circuit is connected in series between the charger and the first end
of the first adjustment circuit;
the control circuit is further connected to the protection circuit;
the control circuit is further configured to: determine a protection trigger condition
according to the charging mode, and send the protection trigger condition to the protection
circuit; and
the protection circuit is configured to: detect an output current of the charger to
determine an output current value; determine whether the output current value meets
the protection trigger condition; and when the output current value meets the protection
trigger condition, open a switch to interrupt charging.
11. The charging circuit according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the charging
circuit further comprises a communication circuit; and the communication circuit is
connected to the control circuit;
the control circuit is further configured to send the charging mode to the communication
circuit; and
the communication circuit is configured to send the charging mode to the charger,
so that the charger performs charging according to the charging mode.
12. The charging circuit according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the charging
circuit further comprises a second adjustment circuit and a current monitoring circuit,
wherein
the second adjustment circuit and the current monitoring circuit are connected in
series between the first end of the first adjustment circuit and the terminal load;
the current monitoring circuit is configured to: monitor a decrease amplitude of a
current of the terminal load; and when the decrease amplitude exceeds a preset threshold,
send an adjustment instruction to the second adjustment circuit; and
the second adjustment circuit is configured to adjust upward an impedance of the second
adjustment circuit according to the adjustment instruction.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein:
the second adjustment circuit is further configured to restore, after preset duration,
the impedance of the second adjustment circuit to a state before the impedance is
adjusted upward.
14. A charging circuit, wherein the charging circuit is separately connected to a charger,
a terminal load, and a battery, and the charging circuit comprises an adjustment circuit
and a current monitoring circuit, wherein
a first end of the adjustment circuit is connected to the charger; a second end of
the adjustment circuit is connected to a first end of the current monitoring circuit;
and a second end of the current monitoring circuit is connected to the terminal load;
a positive electrode of the charger is connected to a positive electrode of the battery;
and a negative electrode of the charger is connected to a negative electrode of the
battery;
the current monitoring circuit is configured to: monitor a decrease amplitude of a
current of the terminal load; and when the decrease amplitude exceeds a preset threshold,
send an adjustment instruction to the adjustment circuit; and
the adjustment circuit is configured to adjust upward an impedance of the adjustment
circuit according to the adjustment instruction.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein:
the adjustment circuit is further configured to restore, after preset duration, the
impedance of the adjustment circuit to a state before the impedance is adjusted upward.
16. The charging circuit according to claim 15, wherein the charging circuit further comprises
a current detection circuit, a voltage detection circuit, a control circuit, and a
protection circuit;
the protection circuit is connected in series between the charger and the positive
electrode of the battery;
the current detection circuit is connected in series between the protection circuit
and the positive electrode of the battery, or is connected in series between the negative
electrode of the battery and the charger;
a detection end of the voltage detection circuit is connected in parallel at the positive
and negative electrodes of the battery; and
the control circuit is connected to the current detection circuit, is further connected
to the voltage detection circuit, and is further connected to the protection circuit,
wherein
the voltage detection circuit is configured to: detect voltages at two ends of the
battery to obtain a voltage value of the battery, and send the voltage value of the
battery to the control circuit;
the current detection circuit is configured to: detect a current of the charging circuit
to obtain a current value of the charging circuit, and send the current value to the
protection circuit;
the control circuit is configured to: determine a charging mode according to the voltage
value of the battery; and determine a protection trigger condition according to the
charging mode;
the protection circuit is configured to: detect an output current of the charger to
determine an output current value; determine whether the output current value meets
the protection trigger condition; and when the output current value meets the protection
trigger condition, open a switch to interrupt charging; and
the protection circuit is further configured to: obtain the voltage value of the battery;
determine whether the voltage value of the battery meets the protection trigger condition;
and when the voltage value of the battery meets the protection trigger condition,
open the switch to interrupt charging.
17. A terminal, wherein the terminal comprises the charging circuit according to any one
of claims 1 to 16.
18. A charging system, wherein the charging system comprises a charger, a connection cable,
and the terminal according to claim 17, wherein
the charger is connected to the terminal by using the connection cable.
19. A charging method, wherein the method comprises:
detecting a charging current to obtain a charging current value;
detecting a voltage of a battery to obtain a voltage value of the battery;
determining a charging mode matching the voltage value of the battery;
determining a current upper limit value according to the charging mode; and
when the charging current value is greater than the current upper limit value, adjusting
upward an impedance of a charging path according to the charging current value.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the method further comprises:
determining a current lower limit value according to the charging mode; and
when the charging current value is less than the current lower limit value, adjusting
downward the impedance of the charging path according to the charging current value.